The Terms of My Surrender: Time to sober up

Fun Fact: Michael Moore has sent an official invitation and reserved the Presidential Box at the Belasco Theatre for Mr. Trump and his family, he adds that; "...even Rick Perry can come!" Moore is so determined to be heard by Trump he even lead tour buses full of audience members through the streets of Manhattan to the Trump Towers on August 8th in response to the white supremacist violence in Charlottesville. The protest was joined by 1984 cast members, Olivia Wilde and Tom Sturridge, as well as Mark Ruffalo and they all chanted "No Trump! No KKK! No fascist USA!". They then held a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Heather Heyer, who was killed during the attacks.

Target Audience: If you are alive in 2017 and hope for a brighter future this is a poignant show to watch, and a tool to motivate you to take action. For American citizens who aren't able to see the show, as well as those who do, Moore implores you to sign up to 5calls.org. This show is entertaining, humorous and very well executed whether you love or hate the guy!

Best Bit: Have you ever walked around New York City and had a giggle that the cops could be strippers in disguise? Well, Moore makes that naughty fantasy a reality! Yep, we go from hard hitting politics to (spoiler alert) men in G-strings.

Morning After Effect: Wondering how Michael Moore could share such depressing data and yet make me feel incredibly powerful and inspired? The audience and I were not fueled by anger or hate speech at the end but filled with hope and determination to be a part of the change.

Verdict: When non-fiction stories are more frightening than fiction we have a problem - and I am convinced it is no coincidence that Icke and Macmillan's production of 1984 is playing just next door at the Hudson Theatre!

You are not stuck in an alternate universe... Reality star and property mogul, Donald J. Trump, is the President of the United States of America and it is not a bizarre plot twist that documentary filmmaker and author Michael Moore is on Broadway making his debut! This is real, it is 2017 and nothing seems to make sense, not only in America but across the globe.

Haven't we dealt with religious prejudice already, aren't we "working on" economic equality and providing opportunities for everyone to thrive? Does America really not offer its citizens any form of health care but it does so for Government officials? Hold on, can we just say it again out loud so it really sinks it, "Donald Trump is the 45th president of the United States!", or as Michael Moore announces at the start of his show "Donald Trump outsmarted us all!" Moore aims to set the facts straight and share the truth, something that is becoming harder to find with the media today.

Moore, playing himself, urges the audience to sober up or the world will see Trump serving a second term. While The Terms of My Surrender is hugely entertaining, it feels like an urgent Parents' Association meeting calling for immediate action. As Moore looks back on his life, he reveals his constant fight to expose the truth to the people around him and it is evident that he is not looking for affirmation or praise, he does not seek power or hunger for wealth, but rather a man rebelling against the system and looking for justice with the ability to laugh about the absurdity of it all.

Moore has been accused of being anti-American, especially after opposing the war under Bush's reign, whereby he had an anti-Moore fan club that grew over night after the Oscars in 2003 where he invited fellow nominees in his category for Best Documentary to the stage. He announced that documentarians love non-fiction and that we are living in a fictitious country where votes are rigged and a war is taking place for fictitious reason. That was 2003 and he received death threats and physical attacks. He later predicted Trump would be president and most people thought he was mad. As he rants and rages on stage, it is not from a place of ego or arrogance but pure and utter love and desire for peace and justice. He is the everyman, screaming for freedom. In this simplest arena where politics has always been brought to light - the stage. He insists on for freedom for all, not just those who can "afford" it. As Moore tells the story of how he overthrew his school Headmaster and the Deputy at age seventeen, you see a desperate hope that the people of America will join him and do the same for the sitting president.

Director Michael Mayer and Moore have structured this production in a very smart manner. Using facts and humor to slap you in the face and then punch you in the gut with truth. Moore had the audience in the palm of his hand lapping up every word from start to finish which is fascinating for someone who is not used to live theatre or stand up - he carries the entire show brilliantly. He strategically uses audience participation as a comedian would, to ensure the crowd stays focused and somewhat petrified that they may be picked out. Moore does not bore the crowd with his political data as he has written the show from an intimate place and oftentimes it feels like you are sitting with a friend in his living room catching up, thanks to work of set designer David Rockwell and lighting by Kevin Adams. Moore has a humility about him, a gentleness and control over his anger, setting a shining example. He remains playful and light despite the theme of his show.

Having dealt with political debates and unavoidable doom and gloom throughout the campaign trail and post Trump-victory, I was apprehensive to see The Terms of My Surrender. Yes, a 'millennial' approach of sticking my head in the sand, because quite frankly Trump is in the news every hour of every day and nothing seems to be shifting. There are no consequences to his behavior and he keeps steamrolling ahead. What a dangerous notion for young minds to observe and learn from. What happened to the prestige of the presidency? When did it become a common occurrence to receive memes and humorous videos ridiculing the President? Yes, they are usually very funny but the underlying reality is that we are in a very sad state of affairs. Many American people feel hopeless, powerless and by virtue spend hours of their lives online - liking, sharing, posting and commenting on the audacious man that holds an incredible amount of power. Moore insists we learn to spend our time more wisely and be involved in shaping this country with real Americans stepping up to lead. The Americans who believe in equality, justice and freedom. Those good people are out there in the masses and Moore reminds us that we often assume it takes an awful lot to make a change but his experience proves otherwise.

Sober up and get smart. Politics is not an app that just updates itself in the background for your convenience. It's not a fashion fad that you may hate but tolerate knowing it will be over soon, given the 50-plus seasons in a commercial year. It is not a mobile contract you feel trapped by but know the "upgrade" is coming, and it is certainly not a Netflix series that may be cut due to low viewership or funding. Trump's presidency on the contrary, has worldwide viewership and if everyone sits back to "chill" there will be a second season.

During Moore's production, he shares a chilling publication written by a Jewish journalist during the early days of Hitler's presidency. The writer states that one need not fear. How could he implement all the evils he promises when the world is watching and will step in to ensure his actions are monitored? Well, we all know the tragic reality that followed. We cannot sit back and scroll through news and comedic relief tactics. Let your voice be heard. Moore reminds us that it starts in your hometowns and ripples across the country and then the globe. He highlights an organization that citizens should get behind 5calls.org/, and reminds the audience that a revolution doesn't typically fit into your schedule.

I remember watching a film in 2010 with Jake Gyllenhaal (Love & Other Drugs) where he attends a Pfizer conference that aims to inspire the sales reps by using dancers, music and lights. There is a sneaky sexiness to The Terms of My Surrender that had the same effect on the audience as it did those reps. Moore was able to infect the audience with his ideals and motivate us all to go out and do something. We did not leave feeling depressed and helpless that America is 'sick', we left feeling invincible and most importantly, we realized we are the cure. I will forever remember this production and hope to look back knowing it had the impact it aims to.

The terms of my surrender? I won't be laying mine down, and neither should you. If you have the opportunity to see this production, please do. Moore's persistence and perseverance is a merit to this country and what the real American people believe in, he is heroic and very ready for the 46th.

Reviewed by Nicola Quinn

23rd August 2017
Belasco Theatre, New York City
Find me on Twitter: @newyorktheatre

View our show pages for more information about The Terms of My Surrender, Belasco Theater.